The flat country between the Volsci (or Lepini) Mountains and the sea is actually an inclined surface where the coastal dunes are at a higher level than the ground at the foot of the mountains, thus causing the stagnation of several small rivers. In 312 BC the Romans dug a canal to protect Via Appia from being periodically inundated, but most of the plain remained an unhealthy marsh. Things got worse after the fall of the Roman empire and in the VIIIth century Via Appia was no longer practicable and it was replaced by a winding road which followed the ridge of the hills overlooking the plain and favoured the development of Sermoneta and other medieval towns.

View of Sermoneta and a watching tower

The marsh however was no protection against the raids of the Saracens, who took advantage of the coast being unpopulated. Between 700 and the year 1000 they could actually temporarily occupy the shores between S. Felice Circeo and Nettuno and from there move inland. This explains the fortified aspect of Sermoneta and the existence of watch towers built on high rocks.

The walls of Sermoneta were reinforced in the XVIth century when the risk of attacks from the sea increased again: the Ottomans had expanded their empire to the coasts of Tunisia and Algeria and from there they promoted corsair raids on the coasts of Italy. The walls were also necessary due to the fact that Italy was a battlefield for French and Spanish troops and their local supporters. Sermoneta is located on the top of an isolated hill not far from Norma.

Views of Castello Caetani

In the early XIVth century Sermoneta became a fief of the Caetani, the family of Pope Boniface VIII, who from their base in Anagni expanded their possessions towards Rome and the sea. Their castle was confiscated by Pope Alexander VI Borgia who improved its fortifications; shortly after the death of the pope in 1503 it returned to the Caetani to whom it still belongs.

Details of Castello Caetani

The castle shows details of different periods but its prevailing aspect is due to Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, who had designed for Pope Alexander VI the impressive fortress of Civita Castellana.

Medieval street; the synagogue; Renaissance palace

Sermoneta, because of its position along one of the two roads which for centuries linked Rome with Naples (the other one being through Palestrina and Anagni), provided services to merchants and travellers. In particular at the beginning of the XVIth century its Jewish population expanded because of the arrival of many Jews from the Kingdom of Naples. In 1492 King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabel of Castile decreed the expulsion of all Jews from their possessions which included Sicily. Many of them moved to the Kingdom of Naples, which, although ruled by a dynasty of Aragon origin, welcomed their arrival. In 1503 however it became a direct possession of the Crown of Spain and the Jews were on the move again: several families settled in the towns of southern Latium increasing the local communities. It was not the end of their journey: in 1555 Pope Paul IV ordered the Jews to live either in Rome or Ancona in a segregated area (the Ghetto). There the Jews, who had not a tradition of using surnames, but rather patronymics, had to live in a relatively large community and for practical reasons adopted as a surname the town they came from one of which was Sermoneta.

Cathedral

The Cathedral of Sermoneta is a sort of summary of the history of the town: built on an ancient Roman temple, it shows elements of all styles.

Paintings of a ruined church; S. Giuseppe

With the reclamation of the marsh in the 1920s and the opening of a new railway which runs at the foot of the hill next to the restored Via Appia, Sermoneta lost its role and its population decreased, attracted by the new towns built on the plain: several old houses were abandoned. Today it gives the impression of a partial recovery: its old churches and the memories of the past foster the feeling of belonging to a community which the new towns seem unable to create.

The 13th-century Caetani Castle was built by the Annibaldi family, to whom the papacy had granted the hill towns of Sermoneta, Bassiano and S. Donato along with other nearby estates.This imposing fortress, with its 42-metre high keep known as the Maschio, and a lesser tower known as the Maschietto, became the heart of the medieval town of Sermoneta. The Church of S. Pietro in Corte was built in the courtyard, together with a vast rainwater cistern to compensate, at such a height, for lack of alternative water sources.In 1297, during a period of economic hardship for the Annibaldi, the Caetani Pope, Boniface VIII acquired all their lands for 140,000 gold florins. He also bought Ninfa for 200,000 florins, a strategic move allowing his administration to control the important Via Pedemontana connecting Rome to Naples. From this point on, the Caetani family governed these properties for more than 700 years.During the 14th and 15th centuries, thanks to the Caetani, the Castle reached a peak of prosperity. Enlarged and re-fortified it was put to cultural uses. The Camere Pinte(painted rooms) are decorated with frescoes representing mythological figures. They date back to this period. The unknown artist is probably of the school of Pinturicchio.In 1499 the Borgia Pope Alexander VI issued a Bull excommunicating the Caetani, and in so doing confiscated their properties and turned the Castle into a military fortress, adding to the fortifications but destroying the church and so much of what the Caetani had accomplished in their time.After the death of Alexander, just five years later, the Caetani were given back their properties by Pope Giulio II Della Rovere. In the 17th century, because the properties no longer had strategic relevance, the family moved to Rome and Cisterna, and the Castle was left abandoned only to be looted by French and Spanish solders in the 18th century. Eventually, because of its poor condition, it was rented out by the family for use as a depot and warehouse. Only at the end of the 19th century did Caetani family members, aware of the historical and artistic significance of the castle, begin once more to restore and transform it into a social and educational centre.Today, the Roffredo Caetani Foundation owns the Castle, and is responsible for its conservation and for continuing the work of the Caetani family over previous centuries.

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The Castle is open every day, except for Thursdays, no booking required from guided tours.All visits are conducted in groups accompanied by a guide. The tour, which is not suitable for persons with walking difficulties, follows a single route and lasts approximately one hour. It is feasible to visit both the Castle and the Garden of Ninfa on the same day, allocating a half-day to each.

Even beforethe settlementof the Cistercian monks, the place wasinhabited byBenedictine monkswho hadbuilt amonastery withthe titleSt. Stephenthe First Martyr,where healso livedGregory IVdell'827firstyear of hiselection to thepapacy.Later, probably around the yearone thousand, the monastery wastherestructuringand expansion, of which stillremainwell preserved, the three sidesof theRomanesquecloister.

No matter where you might find yourself on the Coast of Lazio, it is impossibile to overlook the astounding outline of the Circeo Promontory. With its peak at approximately 1,775 feet above sea level, it rises above the spectacular landscape of the surrounding natural park, that is also filled with characteristic and picturesque towns and villages. This magnificent spot is a millenary locus of epic natural, historical and mythological events. Founded in 1934, Circeo National Park spreads out along the littoral strand comprising Anzio and Terracina, and lies only 62 miles from Rome.

SeeThrough the centuries Circeo was the first Roman colony, and during the Middle Ages, a possession of the Knights Templar, before passing under the control of the feudal lords Caetani and, finally, becoming a Papal stronghold. Obviously, it offers up to the visitor’s view the remains of each of these various periods, yet what is most special about it are its natural treasures, beginning with the Park, established so as to protect its unique environments and ecosystems. Circeo National Park's coastal dunes form a half-moon that extend along a 15.5-mile stretch of shore between Sabaudia, in the north, and Capo Portiere. It is a unique setting even for Italy – so unique that it is under the tutelage of the European Union. The Park’s beaches are composed of the finest grains of sand and the backdrop of its stunning, high dunes.Each of the splendid towns inside the Park is worth a visit; see them one by one, concluding with Latina, the newest and only planned community here. Sabaudia is a strip of land bridging both lakes and sea, while San Felice Circeo boasts ancient beauties, both natural and manmade. It also treats vacationers to a fantastic view of the entire gulf, all the way to Formia.

DoJourney into the Circe Woods (Selva di Circe), one of few of the best-preserved and largest plain forests existing in the country, and where the Park’s fauna – e.g. the wild boar – can be observed, along with the so-called Verdesca natural pool, a relic from the former Pontine Marshes. Just over and parallel to the coastal dunes lies the lagoon made up of four successive littoral lakes: Lake Sabaudia or Lake Paola, Lake Caprolace, Lake Monaci and Lake Fogliano. More active vacationers will want to try their hand at any of a number of possible sports, from canoe to sailing. At the same time, trekkers and hikers will find plenty of trails and routes to choose from on Mount Circeo. Prefer something more relaxed? A long stroll through the woods or next to the waves is nothing if not inspired!

Don’t Miss…A festival celebrating the bluetailed fish runs every September in Santa Maria della Sorresca; it begins the day after Pentecost, with a procession of the Madonna from the Church of San Felice Martire in the Historic Center to the shores of Sabaudia’s Lake Paola, site of the ancient Sanctuary of Santa Maria of Sorresca.A trip to the Island of Zannone – other than its status as part of Circeo National Park, it can also be counted among the Pontine Islands, along with Ventotene, Ponza, Palmarola, Santo Stefano and Gavi. Zannone is the northernmost island in the archipelago, and the only one constituted of volcanic and sedimentary rocks that date back to beyond 200 million years ago.

The apartments, furnished with elegance, are composed of rooms with private bathrooms, full equipped kitchen, dining area and large living room with sofa and TV. For outdoor living, tables and chairs on the panoramic terraces make pleasant stay... aperitifs on the terrace at sunset like the Italian style

The apartments can accomodate families or working groups from 2 to 6 persons from medium to long periods for a comfortable and relaxing stay.

The Residence, despite being in the old town of Sermoneta, is easily accessible by car (you can park in front of the apartment in Via G. Matteotti 3) and it is near Restaurants, bar, supermarket and anything you need for a long time stay.

Do you need a special offer for your family or for your working group? Are you planning your holiday in Sermoneta and you need suggestions (restaurants, turistic informations)? Write us an e-mail at
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or phone to 0039 3385265478and we'll be happy to provide you a special offer

Our rooms are all equipped with private bathroom and can accomodate up to 3 guests each.

Ideal for a short stay to discover the beauties of Sermoneta, Ninfa Gardens, the Caetani's Castle.

During their stay, in addition to the bright and spacious rooms, our guests have access to the living area of the Residence with sofas, table and TV and can enjoy the panoramic view of the equipped terrace.

- Coffe capsules for free- Breakfast: extra charge of 3 euros per guest- Kitchen: have a look of the section “Apartments”

Write us an e-mail at
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or phone to 0039 3385265478 and we'll give you any additional informations regarding your stay (things to do, places to visit, itineraries, Restaurants, monuments...) and if you want, we'll provide you a special quote.